The Imojiya MZ VG-1 line is our budget-friendly series that delivers a great value without skimping on the cutting ability (just look at thinness at the edge in the 4th photo!).  The thinness of these knives helps you go through dense root vegetables such as squash, large carrots, and sweet potatoes without much wedging.  Just be sure to use gentle cutting pressure and knife techniques that do not involved twisting or aggressive mincing to avoid chipping.

We recommend these blades for any home cooks looking to seriously upgrade cutting ability without breaking the bank. It is also an amazing gift for many folks such as newly wed couples, students moving out, and professional cooks taking on a new venture etc.!

A chef's knife ('Gyuto' in Japanese) is the most versatile blade that can handle almost anything in the kitchen. Their shape and often generous edge length mean that whether it's cutting small tomatoes or portioning a large roast, you can do it with one blade. Most cooks have multiple chef's knives and it is not hard to justify getting one more when it has so much utility. 

Brand: Hitohira ひとひら
Producing Area: Seki-Gifu/ Japan
Profile: Gyuto
Size: 180mm
Steel Type: Stainless Steel
Steel: VG-1, Soft Stainless Clad
Handle: Imitation Mahogany Western
Total Length: 305mm
Edge Length: 182mm
Handle to Tip Length: 184mm
Blade Height: 42mm
Thickness: 1.6mm
Handle Length: 115mm
Weight: 149g
Hand Orientation: Ambidextrous